Page 44

W hen I woke up next, it was midday. The sun was at its zenith, gleaming through the front window. Smells of savory spices filled the air, but Devrix was nowhere in sight. A pot simmered on the stove, meaning he couldn’t have gone far.

I pushed up, straining against my cramped muscles.

It was an effort, but I managed to plant my bare feet on the wood floor and rise out of bed.

The clean gown fell to my shins. Still weakened by my near death experience, my knees almost buckled as I took the first step.

I lumbered over to the window, steadying myself on the arm of one of the two chairs.

Sunlight warmed my skin, and I paused, closing my eyes to bask in its warmth. I am here, alive, in Devrix’s cabin. I remained still, letting it all soak in.

Several moments passed before the front door creaked and Devrix stepped inside, wood for the stove stacked in his arms.

He paused when he noticed the empty bed, then smiled when his gaze caught on me standing near the window. “I’m glad to see you are up. Hungry?”

“Yes. It smells delicious,” I replied. “What are you cooking?”

“A soup to help you recover.” He set down the tinder and approached.

I smiled. “Thank you for the fresh clothes—for all of it.” I thought of reaching out to him, but was too unstable to risk releasing my hold on the chair.

Instead, Devrix stepped into the sunlight next to me, warm hands landing on my waist. With an arched brow, he said, “I know you must be very weak. How did you get over here?”

“I couldn’t resist the sunlight,” I confessed, and turned toward the window. His arms wrapped snug around my hips, chest to my back. He supported me as I let the blinding light heat my skin.

“I’m so happy you are here,” Devrix purred, his chest vibrating as he spoke.

“So many times, I recalled our visit to the courtyard. You, standing near, eyes closed, face illuminated by the morning light. You captivated me. And I wanted nothing more than to be the one who made certain you could feel the sun on your skin whenever you desired.”

My heart warmed at his confession. “I often recall that same moment. When I was in the dungeon, every day I dreamed of walking with you outdoors.” My throat tightened. “At times, I didn’t think I would make it … but you did it. You freed me.”

He lowered his head, breath feathering my ear.

“No. You did it. You believed in me and kept fighting.” I felt him sigh against me.

“It wasn’t the plan I wanted to go with.

And I’m sorry you had to endure so much .

.. cruelty.” I heard him swallow hard. “Jesmine’s sudden banishment was unexpected.

I didn’t have time to explain in the way I had hoped. ”

I turned to face him, finding anguish in his features. “At least you had the letter,” he added.

“The letter?”

His eyebrows lowered. “Yes. The letter I gave you just moments before Jesmine sent me away.”

“Oh.” I looked over at my tattered clothes piled in the corner. “I never read it.”

“What?” Devrix’s response was barely a whoosh of air.

“As soon as I left your room, I was thrown into the dungeon without a torch to see.” My legs wobbled; the fatigue was catching up with me.

“There was never an opportunity when I was alone and it was bright enough to read. I’m sure the letter is deep in my pocket, if you check. ” I pointed to my soiled smock.

Devrix’s face blanched with shock. His hands held me steady at the waist, but his eyes traveled from me to the corner and back. “Let’s get you seated,” he murmured, guiding me into the nearby chair.

I lowered onto the gray cushion, and he stepped over to my old clothes, searching within the pockets.

His hands trembled as he pulled out the sealed letter—the wax unbroken.

For a moment he paused, just staring at it.

After coming to some silent conclusion, he returned to my side and handed it over.

“I think you should read it.” He lowered himself into the opposite chair.

The envelope’s edges were crumpled and worn. I had so desperately wanted to open it when I was in the dungeon, but now it seemed not to matter. The orange seal snapped between my fingers. I lifted the first fold. “I’m here now. I don’t see why you can’t just—”

My gaze caught on the signature at the bottom:

Your friend always, ~Claire

My eyes watered as I read the first words:

I am alive!

Shocked, I looked up at Devrix.

“Go ahead, read it,” he urged.

Claire’s letter began excitedly, telling the details of her escape.

How Jesmine had summoned her to catch a Slip, but right before, Jarrett had given her a paralysis stone that Devrix created so the Slips couldn’t gain control and she wouldn’t feel any pain.

It fooled Jesmine into thinking she was dead.

My head shook back and forth. “I didn’t know,” I breathed, eagerly reading on.

“I was sure you would have read it,” Devrix murmured, still struck with disbelief. “But Jarrett must have told you?”

I shook my head. “We were never alone for him to talk freely.”

Claire’s note continued. She described how Jarrett hauled her body away, and how Devrix showed up with the antidote. She assured me it was all very painless, and that I had nothing to fear—since it was the same plan they were going to use to free me.

I read the last sentence twice. When I made it to Claire’s scrolling signature, I looked up at Devrix. “So … My apparent death was planned the entire time? And you created the stone?”

“Yes. Making you appear dead was the only way I could figure Jesmine would release you … but you didn’t know … you swallowed the stone unaware ... you must have thought …” He scrubbed a rough hand down his face.

“I did.” I answered. “I thought I was dead. I figured the stone was just a way to take away the pain. And afterwards, I couldn’t understand why some invisible thread held me to my body—it was your stone.”

“Yes, that was my design.” He shifted closer to explain.

“I mentioned before that I work for the king… It’s true he sent me to investigate Jesmine’s methods, but not because I am a royal correspondent, but because I am an alchemist, like Jesmine—although she doesn’t know that.

The king sent me instead of some clerk who would not understand what they were looking for. ”

The room spun slightly. “And you saved Claire?”

He grinned. “Yes. She is eager to see you again.” He wrapped his hands over mine.

“I hadn’t intended for her to be the first one given the paralysis stone, but Jesmine’s rash behavior forced my hand.

I was confident in its effectiveness, but not entirely certain of the outcome.

That is why I waited to tell you. And then later …

I thought you knew from her letter, or Jarrett …

I can’t believe you went through all of that unaware. ”

“There were little clues from Jarrett that something might have been unfolding, but mostly I thought I was doomed.” I laughed, thinking back. “It would have been nice to know I’d lose control of my body, especially when I’d just broken free with a map and bottle of elixir.”

Surprise and fear flashed in his eyes. “Really? How did that happen?”

“Arden actually.” Devrix looked as surprised as I had felt. “He left me a map and elixir, along with a knife to cut my bonds,” I explained.

“I didn’t think he had it in him.”

“I didn’t either,” I confessed. “If I ever see him again, I will have to thank him … and Jarrett. But I suspect I will see Jarrett again?”

“We communicate mostly through coded messages, but I imagine you will see him eventually.”

Something occurred to me then. “I can return to Fernton, and see Clay, talk to him … and my friend Mallory and her husband. You’ll have to meet them all!

” I stopped, suddenly unsure. “Would you want to come to Fernton? I mean, humans and Ashlora …” I chewed on my lip, not knowing how to finish the thought.

Devrix squeezed my hands. “Yes, there are many things for us to figure out. I have some ideas, but we can go over them later. Ultimately, it is for you to decide. You are free, after all.” His eyes sparkled.

Free.

I was free. Excitement danced in my stomach as the truth of his words washed over me. I was no longer a prisoner … or the Blood Offering …

I was free !

The excitement and overwhelming realization of my freedom made me lightheaded, so Devrix insisted I return to bed.

He tended to the bubbling pot on the stove and scooped out its contents.

My mouth watered as he brought over a steaming bowl of soup and a few slices of bread.

When the flavorful broth met my tongue, I couldn’t help but moan.

“I’m glad to see your appetite wasn’t affected.” He smirked.

“I almost forgot what it was like to taste anything other than salt.” It was true, and the soup was spectacular.

Devrix laughed, then took a sip. Quietly, he watched as I finished two bowls of soup and every crumb of my three slices of bread. “Better?” he asked.

“Yes. Still a bit tired and achy, but the food is already helping.”

“If you are up for it, I have a treat for you.” He stood and held out his hand.

“A treat?” I felt my cheeks pinch. “You know you no longer have to bribe me to spend time with you,” I teased.

A soft chuckle rumbled from his chest. “But I think this may be your favorite one so far.”

I arched a brow, placing my hand in his, and rose from the bed. “I don’t know, that tart was extremely delicious.”

“We’ll see,” he said over his shoulder. He guided me toward the back door, pausing a moment to flash a smile in my direction before leading me through.

The air was like a warm hug as we stepped onto an enclosed porch.

Windows filled the outer walls. Plants hung from the rafters, creating curtains of green that draped into the light.

Large potted ferns filled the space below.

Nestled at the room’s center was a bright copper soaking tub, brimmed to the edge with steaming water.

My jaw hung open.